[Maths-Education] [ATM-mail] RS/JMC Inquiry into Geometry

[ATM]

ROYAL SOCIETY/JMC INQUIRY INTO GEOMETRY

The Royal Society/Joint Mathematical Council inquiry into the teaching and
learning of geometry in schools, begun earlier this year, is nearing
completion. The inquiry group have not received many submissions from
teachers.    It is not too late to make a submission, but something in the
next few weeks is fairly essential.   Below is a notice written by Keith
Jones, Southampton University who is a member of the inquiry group.

Sue Welford - ATM Hon. Secretary

To colleagues interested in the teaching and learning of geometry

You may be aware that QCA has advised the DfEE that the National Curriculum
for        Mathematics due for implementation in September is only an
interim measure. The reason for this is that, it appears, the group charged
with reviewing the programme of study for Shape, Space and Measures could
not agree on the content of this component of the school mathematics
curriculum. It seems that one or two members of the curriculum revision
group sought to remove transformation geometry and downgrade coordinate
geometry in favour of Euclidean plane geometry forming the major part of 
the geometry taught in schools. Other members of the group refused to
accept this. The published curriculum document contains their varying
opinions for Shape, Space and Measures with no apparent consensus.

The Royal Society/Joint Mathematical Council inquiry into the teaching and
learning of geometry in schools, begun earlier this year, is being seen as
a way of resolving the issue. The inquiry is entering its final phase, and
has been reviewing submissions it has received. Many submissions have come
from mathematicians in Universities, many of whom argue for Euclidean plane
geometry to form the major part of the geometry taught in schools.
Consequently there are those on the RS/JMC inquiry who are in favour of
recommending the following:

a)      that Euclidean plane geometry should form the major part of the
geometry taught in schools for all pupils
b)      that transformation geometry be downplayed to a very minor role
(with any use of matrices being eliminated)
c)      that coordinate geometry be downgraded

The rationale given for such recommendations includes:

a)      Euclidean plane geometry is uniquely placed to develop proof
b)      proofs in transformation geometry are too difficult
c)      while developing geometric intuition, visualisation and spatial
awareness are important these are secondary to proof
d)      applications are a distraction from proof
e)      the demands of proof are more important that the responsibility to
contribute to social and moral development, citizenship etc.

It is likely that the inquiry report will detail a curriculum based on its
recommendations and that this will become the basis of the statutory
curriculum for mathematics.

The inquiry has received very few submissions from researchers in
mathematics education or from teachers in school. It is not too late to
make a submission although something within the next few weeks is fairly
essential. It would assist the inquiry group considerably if it were known
how widely recommendations such as those above might be supported.


Submissions that are most helpful are those that are in response to the
terms of reference of the RS/JMC inquiry (given below) or to the invitation
messages sent out by the Chair of the inquiry, Adrian Oldknow earlier this
year (rather than in direct response to this message).

Short, reasoned submissions by email that address some or all of the
following are most helpful:

1.      Why should geometry be part of a contemporary 11-19 school
curriculum?
2.      What factors impinge on the future development of geometry in 11-19
education?
3.      What geometric content should be studied 11-19 and why?

Submissions can be sent to:

the coordinator of the inquiry: Margaret Dawes
<margaret.dawes@kpmg.co.uk>,<margaret.dawes@kcl.ac.uk>),

the Chair of the inquiry, Adrian Oldknow <a_oldknow@compuserve.com>,

Nigel Thomas at the Royal Society nigel.thomas@royalsoc.ac.uk

(or sent to all three to be on the safe side).

If you would like further information on the geometry inquiry please
contact Keith Jones, University of Southampton who is a member of the
inquiry group <dkj@southampton.ac.uk>.

The terms of reference of the Royal Society/Joint Mathematical Council
working group on the teaching and learning of geometry in schools are as
follows:

1.      to make recommendations about teaching methods and the content of
the curriculum with relation to the topic of geometry taught to pupils aged
11-19, in order to inform discussions of any future curriculum revisions;
2.       to take into account evidence of the current competence and future
needs in geometry among different groups of pupils;
3.      to examine the influences on pupils' experience of geometry within
all aspects of the pre-University system, including vocational education; 
4.      to report conclusions and recommendations to the Councils of the
Royal Society and the JMC by 1 October 2000;


Assn of Teachers of Mathematics
7 Shaftesbury St, Derby  DE23 8YB
Tel.  01332 346599

www.atm.org.uk


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